Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

Angra dos Reis is a city located in the south of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Discovered in 1502 by explorer Gonçalo Coelho, Angra dos Reis is famous for its beaches of crystal blue and green waters. It is considered one of the best destinations in Brazil for diving where you can see several species of fish, morays, molluscs, crustaceans and sea turtles, as well as several shipwrecks. It’s the perfect destination for those who want a stroll in tranquil sea waters and visit paradisiacal islands and beaches.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is located on the southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Angra dos Reis city, and much of its area is part of conservation units, such as Ilha Grande State Park, Tamoios Environmental Protection Area and Praia do Sul Biological Reserve. The Mata Atlantica, one of the main biomes of Brazil, is predominant on the island. In its fauna can be found albatrosses, seagulls, frigatebirds, atobas, crabs, micos, marmosets, several fishes, reptiles and snakes, among others. Its preserved forests are composed of jack trees, various types of bamboos, golden trumpet trees, bromeliads, orchids, angico, among many other species of trees.

Ilha Grande also has several beaches, such as Lopes Mendes, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and Praia do Aventureiro; Hills, such as the Pico do Papagaio with 982 meters of altitude and the Pico da Pedra d’Agua with 1,035 meters of altitude; waterfalls, such as the Feiticeira Waterfall, about 15 meters high; natural pools, such as Lagoa Azul with its clear waters between two islets, and Lagoa Verde with green corals and several fish.

The trails are one of the most interesting activities to do in the island. In them the visitor can have more contact with the natural beauties, in addition to na amazing view of beautiful landscapes of the island from their lookouts.

Ilha Grande was discovered in 1502 in an expedition carried out by the Portuguese explorer Gonçalo Coelho, and at that time it was inhabited by Tamoios Indians. In colonial Brazil, Ilha Grande was the scene of several conflicts, such as disputes between Portuguese and French, and attacks by English corsairs. From the 16th century various areas of the island were used for growing coffee and sugar cane. Ilha Grande has become a famous tourist destination because of its lush nature.